Bloodied Lilies

Chapter 7

Adelia stretched her limbs as the first light of dawn peeked through the curtains. She was tired and sore from the weight of her ball dress and the stress of keeping on guard all night. The lilies in her hair had wilted and she was sure her eyes were hollowed.

Duke Rainford slept soundly on the bed she was leaning against. His breathing had eased and the fever had broken ,though he was still too pale too be healthy. His curls were mushed against the pillow and his clothes were rumpled from Adelia trying to keep him still through the worst of his fever dreams.

It was the first time she had seen him so unguarded and without elegance. It was a funny thought that a snake with poison in every word got poisoned himself and became human for a day.

At least Dreamcatcher's antidote had been effective. He had left after administering it, saying he would take care of the ones who tried to come and finish the job. Adelia had promised him a favour in return. She vowed her thanks on her teacher's honour. It was nice to think she still had allies even after her teacher was gone and she had left the guild.

Freelancing had better pay but it made you easy enemies and gave you no insurance. Adelia had thought she hadn't needed any friends for she had only ever needed to look out for herself. But now the situation had changed.

The duke began to stir behind her, a soft groan escaped his lips. Adelia scrambled to return her blade to its garter sheath. The lack of sleep slowed her reactions. Fortunately she was sitting down and out of view.

"Adelia?" he said, voice slurred with sleep and exhaustion. He blinked at her blearily.

"I'm here." She turned to face him. "How do you feel?"

"Horrid," he said, sitting up slowly and running a hand through his curls. "I'm still alive."

"Yes," she agreed. "You are."

He looked around the room, as if expecting to see someone else there as well. Confusion crossed his face when he didn't find what he was looking for.

"How?" he asked.

"You said we could wait it out."

"Rukbark does kill you eventually. I thought you'd ring the manor. Alcoy knows how to dispel poisons."

Adelia blinked in surprise. "You knew what poison it was."

"It has a distinctive aftertaste after ten minutes from being taken. I've been poisoned by it before," the duke said casually, as if it were a simple, mundane topic. "That doesn't answer my question. How am I still alive if you didn't call Alcoy?"

"I..." Adelia began, hesitantly. "I... encountered a friend. They helped me acquire an antidote for you."

Duke Rainford knitted his brows.

"Why?"

"I hadn't thought to call the manor." Adelia hadn't known Alcoy had knowledge about poisons. It was a good thing that he hadn't come into her bathroom. "You didn't want me to?"

"No, rather, wouldn't you have been waiting for this chance? If I die, you will gain all I have and thus your dear sister will be fine and you would have your freedom."

"I would also have your province and I don't want that," she explained.

"You... saved my life because you didn't want my province," he said slowly, eyeing her suspiciously as if trying to discern some ulterior motive.

Adelia nodded. He should've known by now that Adelia was horrible at lying.

Duke Rainford looked at her incredulously before barking a sharp laugh.